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Sad shit like this still happens. Humans are retarded.
»www.thetimesonline.com/index.pl/articl..[?]
HOBART -- The random, drive-by shootings and gangs encroaching in their Chicago neighborhood were reason enough for Sandra and Ralph Harris to search for a better place to raise their four teenagers.
They thought they found it in Hobart.
'We got on the Internet and really liked what we read about the city of Hobart. We were impressed with the school system and thought this could be a good place for kids to grow up ... a clean, safe community," Sandra Harris said. "But right now, we get the feeling we're not welcome here."
Harris prefers to leave race out of the issue, but admits there is only one other black family living in the neighborhood.
And since her family moved to Hobart this summer, Harris claims residents have subjected her family to verbal harassment, have spat at her children and are unjustly accusing her family of vandalism.
"When I heard neighbors were bringing up these matters at a public meeting and pointing fingers, I felt it was time to stand up and give the other side of the story," Harris said. "Our kids are getting a bad rap for things they're not guilty of doing."
Although no one has specifically named Harris' children, the issue has been discussed at two City Council meetings by residents who came en masse to complain about two families living at Rush and Pershing streets.
The matter has also been brought to the attention of Mayor Linda Buzinec and the Hobart police. Harris said Friday she has been contact by Buzinec, who wants to meet with her next week to talk about the situation.
Chief Brian Snedecor said his department has responded to calls in the neighborhood with reports of increased vandalism and has stepped up patrols and surveillance in efforts to curb the problem.
Neighbors have complained to city officials that children of the two families (a total of 12 youngsters) in the area of Rush and Pershing streets are vandalizing mailboxes, trespassing on private property, urinating in public and stealing bikes and skateboards.
But Harris insists, "If this is happening, our children are not doing it."
Harris, who works in the home health care industry, and her husband, who is employed as a security officer, say they keep close tabs on their children and enforce strict discipline at home.
"We try and instill manners and good behavior," Harris said.
She also said her children are goal oriented.
"Not just because they're ours, but each of our children are achievers," Harris said.
She describes the teens who range from 13 to 17 as "typical teenagers" who are adept in sports and participated on varsity teams when they attended Chicago Vocational Tech High School.
"Latasha, my 16-year-old, led her basketball team at CVS in points scored at every game," Harris said. "She wants to be in the WNBA someday."
Harris said Robert and Ralph Jr. are also athletic and have run track and played football at CVS.
She said they hoped to try out for Hobart's football team this season, but didn't get school records back from Chicago in time for the initial tryouts.
Three of Harris's children attend Hobart High School, and the other is enrolled at Hobart Middle School.
"We're renting this four-bedroom house we're living in with an option to buy, but we need to get these problems ironed out before we make a decision to call Hobart our home," Harris said
»www.thetimesonline.com/index.pl/articl..[?]
HOBART -- The random, drive-by shootings and gangs encroaching in their Chicago neighborhood were reason enough for Sandra and Ralph Harris to search for a better place to raise their four teenagers.
They thought they found it in Hobart.
'We got on the Internet and really liked what we read about the city of Hobart. We were impressed with the school system and thought this could be a good place for kids to grow up ... a clean, safe community," Sandra Harris said. "But right now, we get the feeling we're not welcome here."
Harris prefers to leave race out of the issue, but admits there is only one other black family living in the neighborhood.
And since her family moved to Hobart this summer, Harris claims residents have subjected her family to verbal harassment, have spat at her children and are unjustly accusing her family of vandalism.
"When I heard neighbors were bringing up these matters at a public meeting and pointing fingers, I felt it was time to stand up and give the other side of the story," Harris said. "Our kids are getting a bad rap for things they're not guilty of doing."
Although no one has specifically named Harris' children, the issue has been discussed at two City Council meetings by residents who came en masse to complain about two families living at Rush and Pershing streets.
The matter has also been brought to the attention of Mayor Linda Buzinec and the Hobart police. Harris said Friday she has been contact by Buzinec, who wants to meet with her next week to talk about the situation.
Chief Brian Snedecor said his department has responded to calls in the neighborhood with reports of increased vandalism and has stepped up patrols and surveillance in efforts to curb the problem.
Neighbors have complained to city officials that children of the two families (a total of 12 youngsters) in the area of Rush and Pershing streets are vandalizing mailboxes, trespassing on private property, urinating in public and stealing bikes and skateboards.
But Harris insists, "If this is happening, our children are not doing it."
Harris, who works in the home health care industry, and her husband, who is employed as a security officer, say they keep close tabs on their children and enforce strict discipline at home.
"We try and instill manners and good behavior," Harris said.
She also said her children are goal oriented.
"Not just because they're ours, but each of our children are achievers," Harris said.
She describes the teens who range from 13 to 17 as "typical teenagers" who are adept in sports and participated on varsity teams when they attended Chicago Vocational Tech High School.
"Latasha, my 16-year-old, led her basketball team at CVS in points scored at every game," Harris said. "She wants to be in the WNBA someday."
Harris said Robert and Ralph Jr. are also athletic and have run track and played football at CVS.
She said they hoped to try out for Hobart's football team this season, but didn't get school records back from Chicago in time for the initial tryouts.
Three of Harris's children attend Hobart High School, and the other is enrolled at Hobart Middle School.
"We're renting this four-bedroom house we're living in with an option to buy, but we need to get these problems ironed out before we make a decision to call Hobart our home," Harris said
